Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg has opened a 60 - 32 percent lead over Democratic
challenger Fernando Ferrer among New York City likely voters, according to a Quinnipiac
University poll released today. Conservative candidate Thomas Ognibene gets 1 percent.

The Mayor's numbers spiked from a 19-point lead during the first three days of the
survey to a 34-point lead after his announcement of the subway terrorism alert.

This 60 - 32 percent lead compares to a 52 - 38 percent Bloomberg lead in a
September 21 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. Ognibene
was not listed in that poll.

"Even in the first three nights of polling, when Mayor Bloomberg was being
hammered for not participating in the Harlem debate, he was cruising along with a 19-point
lead, " said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"After his dramatic announcement of a possible threat to the city's subway system,
and coverage of Commander-in-Chief Bloomberg riding the subway, his numbers went
through the roof.

"Now that the threat has been lifted, we'll see if the Mayor's numbers come back
down to earth."

In this latest survey, 87 percent of Bloomberg supporters and 83 percent of Ferrer
voters say their mind is made up.

By a 58 - 15 percent margin, New York City likely voters have a favorable opinion
of Bloomberg, with 26 percent mixed.

Ferrer gets a 29 - 24 percent favorability, with 37 percent mixed and 9 percent who
say they haven't heard enough about him to form an opinion.

For Ognibene, 78 percent of voters do not know enough to form an opinion.

Bloomberg is tied too closely to President George W. Bush, 28 percent of New
York City likely voters say, and 42 percent of all likely voters say they are less likely to
vote for the Mayor because of his ties to the President, with 5 percent who are more likely
to vote for Bloomberg and 52 percent who say it won't affect their vote.

Because of Ferrer's ties to the Bronx Democratic organization, 20 percent say they
are more likely to vote for the Democrat, with 16 percent who are less likely and 62
percent who say it won't affect their vote.

"President Bush is a bit of a drag on Bloomberg. Ferrer's background in Bronx
politics helps him a little, hurts a little and doesn't much matter to most voters," Carroll
said.

From October 4 - 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,452 New York City
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points. The survey includes
725 likely voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

2. If the election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were
Fernando Ferrer the Democrat, Michael Bloomberg the Republican, and Thomas
Ognibene the Conservative Party candidate for whom would you vote? If undecided:
Well as of today, do you lean more towards Ferrer, Bloomberg or Ognibene?
* This table includes leaners

TREND: If the election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were
Fernando Ferrer the Democrat, Michael Bloomberg the Republican, and Thomas
Ognibene, the Conservative Party candidate, for whom would you vote? If
undecided: Well as of today, do you lean more towards Ferrer, Bloomberg or
Ognibene? * This table includes leaners. n/a = not asked